On 8 September 2026, during the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/61) in Malaysia, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), together with the Thai delegation, held discussions with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), led by Ms. Maria Rueda, Safety Management, Sustainability and Global Outreach Director, to strengthen relations and enhance cooperation in aviation safety and civil aviation development.
A key focus of the discussions was potential cooperation on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Both sides exchanged views on the development of safety standards and regulatory approaches, as well as the sharing of knowledge and experience, to support the development of HEMS in Thailand in a safe, efficient, and internationally aligned manner. Such cooperation will contribute to strengthening Thailand’s capabilities in providing emergency medical services by air.
On this occasion, CAAT also invited EASA to participate in the ICAO Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026 (AAM 2026), to be hosted by Thailand from 1–3 December 2026 in Bangkok, under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enabling the AAM Ecosystem.” The symposium will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge, experience, and perspectives on regulatory approaches and safety standards, while contributing to the advancement of Advanced Air Mobility toward safe, efficient, and internationally aligned implementation.
The Thai delegation also informed EASA of Thailand’s plan to establish a Thai aviation representative office in Montréal, Canada, where the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is located. The initiative aims to strengthen Thailand’s capacity to closely follow and participate in ICAO’s policy, standards, and technical work, while enabling closer and more continuous coordination with ICAO and its Member States.
CAAT reaffirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation with EASA in aviation safety oversight, knowledge and experience sharing, and preparations for emerging aviation technologies and new forms of air mobility. CAAT will continue to promote the appropriate application of international practices and standards within Thailand’s aviation context, with the aim of enhancing the safety and efficiency of the country’s civil aviation system and ensuring its readiness for the continued development of the aviation industry.
